The key to staying relaxed and stress free this Christmas is planning ahead. Throughout the year we manage day to day with our usual kitchenalia, reminding ourselves that at some point 'we really should replace that'. We've got into the habit of checking through the kitchen each November and thinking ahead to what our Christmas kitchenware essentials are. 

Baking a Christmas cake is a wonderful thing to do each year, and fills the house with the most fantastic festive aroma. You'll need to have a couple of large mixing bowls to hand, as any good boozy cake requires soaking fruit for a few days before you make the cake. This year, I opted for a Mary Berry Christmas Cake recipe, and the huge amount of dried fruit filled the largest bowl I could find in my kitchen cupboards. I treated myself to a lovely vintage number, just like this vintage mixing bowl. Why have a plain plastic bowl when you can have something that looks gorgeous on your worktop!

Cake tins are another essential to have in the cupboard. If you only have one cake tin, make it a size you know you'll make use of - a 23cm/9 inch deep cake tin will serve you well for birthday and Christmas cakes. Vintage pudding basins are also useful to use throughout the year, as well as preparing Christmas puddings.

Many families have traditional Christmas desserts, that are served every year without fail. I remember my Gran serving a classic English trifle every year, and her amazing Cornish Russian Cream (if you've never heard of it, check out the recipe here). It was always served up in the same vintage glass bowl, that I now keep as my treasured trifle dish!  If you're entertaining children at Christmas time, nothing could be easier than making jelly. A firm party favourite, just grab a jelly mould and have it waiting in the fridge.

First things first, make sure your oven is working as you would expect. Give it a good clean and freshen up, and you're all set. I like to make sure I've got enough oven trays and casserole dishes and that they fit everything we need on the day. Rummage through the cupboards and get out your best serving ware this Christmas - life's too short to keep it in the cupboard. If you don't have any, have a look through our kitchenware collection for some stunning antique and vintage kitchen accessories. Large meat platters or plates are ideal for presenting your festive feast, and serve up your sprouts with chestnuts and braised red cabbage in beautiful vintage tureens. 

In our last blog post 'Get your dining room ready for Christmas', we explored antique dining tables and chairs and how to get your dining room prepared for the festive period. When it comes to tableware, don't be afraid to mix the old with the new. Bring out the vintage plates and china, with your modern cutlery, it's a fantastic contrast.

Throughout the Christmas holiday, you're bound to have some unexpected guests arrive! Be organised and have some nibbles stashed away that you can bring out at a moment's notice. We stock a variety of dishes and serving trays which are perfect for nibbles, such as this stainless steel serving dish. Cold December afternoons and evenings welcome mulled wine and warming drinks, so greet your guests with their drinks in vintage glassware, or have spirits ready in glass decanters.

Whatever happens in the kitchen this Christmas, enjoy yourself! Appreciate the time you get to spend with your family and friends and remember....you'll always find them in the kitchen at parties!